We’re getting closer to the release of “Spectre,” the 24th James Bond movie, and follow up to the billion-dollar Oscar-winner “Skyfall.” And as day follows night, and as Blofeld follows Bond, that means we’re getting a new Bond theme. Some kind of popular singer belting out a new song has been part of the 007 formula since the following, and though recent examples have mostly been less than memorable (try to remember who did the “Quantum Of Solace” theme without looking it up, we dare you), “Skyfall” had a cracker with Adele’s mega-selling theme, which won an Oscar and a Grammy.
This time around, title-singing duties fall to human Macklemore chorus Sam Smith, and after a few weeks of teasing, his track “Writing’s On The Wall,” arrived this morning. Written with “Spectre” composer Thomas Newman, the track is very much in the “Skyfall” mold – lush strings, tinkling piano, John Barryish brass – to the extent that it’s a little hard to tell them apart until Smith starts singing.
It becomes easier after that, thanks to a lack of a memorable chorus, or memorable anything. Or are we being too harsh? Take a listen below (and watch a new featurette on the film’s stunt work), and let us know what you make of it. “Spectre” opens in the U.S. on November 6th, starring Daniel Craig, Christopher Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Lea Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Ben Whishaw, Monica Bellucci, Naomie Harris, Andrew Scott and Rory Kinnear.